CHAPTER FIVE

The wedding is a quiet affair. True to Brandon's words, it happens three weeks after our discussion. While the Martinez family is duly represented by the chairwoman, aunties, and uncles I didn't know existed and Anthony, Brandon's best friend, Hailey is the only person I have with me. After we leave the court, everyone heads towards the Martinez empire where the lush garden has been decorated beautifully for the wedding ceremony.

Several people try to strike up a conversation with me but I am not interested. I just stand next to Brandon and smile politely at them while willing the entire ceremony to be over. In truth, it is not that I am completely averse to this marriage, it is the celebrations that bother me. Why put so much effort into something that isn't real? Although there are only a total of 50 guests at the wedding ceremony, it is evident that so much has been spent to uphold a standard of luxury.

When people finally start to leave, I breathe a sigh of relief and try to loosen up. I have never liked to be around people whom I do not know. Brandon notices my reaction and places a hand on the small of my back to steady me. In the last three weeks, I have learned so much about this man who is now my husband. Brandon is a man who tries to put up a cold exterior but can be kind when he wants to be. After two frustrating weeks of back and forth, he and I finally reached an agreement.

We couldn't let the public know that ours wasn't a love marriage. They'd roast me to pieces if they did. We were to put up a happy couple act on the outside, and be courteous to each other on the inside, we couldn't have arguments in front of the chairwoman, neither of us would cheat during the first two years of the marriage, and in return for my cooperation, I would be in charge of running Giancarlo for the next five years after which ownership of the restaurant would be transferred to my name.

While I initially rejected this offer, Hailey convinced me that it would be foolish to refuse. The Martinez had already dragged me into their family mess. The least they could do was to set me up for a good life after the divorce. Now, hours after tying the knot with this man whom I barely know, it suddenly occurs to me that this marriage might not be all bad after all. Who knows? I might even find that I can get happy.

After most guests have left, Hailey and I hold each other close and cry like babies.

"I will always be here for you, Nat. Always!" She says amidst tears.

"I will always be here too, Hailey. I love you so much." I say, clinging tightly to her.

Behind us, the chairwoman clears her throat. "You girls know that Natalie isn't dying or leaving the country, right?"

We both chuckle and tighten our arms around each other. This is a new phase of my life. One where I can no longer always run to Hailey to stand up for me. I am now a Martinez and although the prospect scares me, I know that I have to live up to the name.

Anthony, Brandon's best friend, offers to take Hailey home, and the two other guests whom I now know are Brandon's uncle and his newest wife also leave. With only the three of us left, the reality of my situation dawns on me. I am married!

The chairwoman asks me to follow her to her room for a minute. "Natalie, I know that you must have wondered why I was so insistent on you marrying my son." She says holding my hands.

"You see, my late husband and I did not exactly have a rosy relationship. Brandon grew up in a home where his mother was constantly abused. He was scared that he'd be just like his father so he told me one day that he had decided to never get married. I thought he would outgrow this notion, but Natalie, it's been so many years and nothing could change his mind. That morning in your apartment, when we spoke, I saw something in you. My dear, you are beautiful, you're smart, you're full of love, and you are so strong. You're exactly what Brandon needs to change his opinion on love and life, Natalie. And I'm so sorry for dragging you into our family mess but when you become a mother, you'll see that there's no length you wouldn't go to for your children. You and Brandon are my children now and I promise you, I will do everything to see you happy." She wipes tears off her face as she finishes.

A tear drops from my eyes too and I gather her to myself for a moment. Right now, at this moment, I don't see her as the chairwoman of the Martinez Empire, but as the mother that I never had.

The chairwoman's story leaves me raw and emotional long after she has gone to sleep. I know what it is to love one's child. My father showed it to me.

As I walk slowly to the room that I will now share with Brandon, I am filled with images of a child watching his father abuse his mother physically and emotionally. I think of the pain the child must have felt to make him decide not to want a part in matrimony. I think of the strength that his mother must possess for her to still be standing strong after all she's been through.

When I step in, Brandon is already in his pajamas. His hair is still wet so I know he just got out of the bathroom. As I stare at him, I am overwhelmed by the vulnerability in the chairwoman's story. On impulse, I close the distance between us and wrap my arms around him.

Although I can feel his confusion, Brandon returns the gesture and wraps his arms around me too. With my head on his chest, I turn my face to the right and whisper, "I promise you, I will be the wife that you deserve."

Immediately, I feel him stiffen against me, and his hands fall to his side. When he speaks, Brandon's voice is cold as ice. "Get away from me."